The
Astronomical Unit (AU):
Mercury/Sun Distance

Charles William Johnson

The astronomical unit (AU) currently in use is derived
from the average mean distance between the Earth and the Sun, which is
generally cited as 93,000,000 miles or 149,600,000 kilometers.
We should like to make a proposal that the average mean distance between
the planet Mercury and the Sun be considered for computations of the astronomical
unit. The average mean distance between Mercury and the Sun is generally
cited as being 36,000,000 miles or, 57,900,000 kilometers.

The logic of the proposal is obvious. If one is viewing
the solar system as a system of relationships, it would seem acceptable
to consider the nearest planet to the Sun, or the farthest planet from
the Sun (Pluto) as representing a possible unit of measurement. These
two extreme relationships within the system determine the parameters of
the system of gravitation within the system; acting as its natural limits.
It does not seem at all acceptable to employ the Earth/Sun distance for
the astronomical unit of measurement, given the fact that it lies somewhere
within the system, not as one of the system's defining or manifest parameters,
by itself determined by those parameters.

Furthermore, one immediately recognizes the advantage
a unit of measurement for the astronomical unit as that of the distance
Mercury/Sun, given the fact that the 36c coincides with the ancient
reckoning day-count (360c). We have already discussed this particular
theme in a previous extract, where we examined a relationship between
the Mercury/Sun distance and the planets' atmospheric conditions.

When one employs the Mercury/Sun distance as the
astronomical unit for other measurements and aspects within the solar
system, very distinct patterns emerge. We shall review a few of these
patterns and aspects in this extract. But, we are certain that many other
patterns and aspects are going to emerge, not only with regard to our
solar system, but with regard to measurements in the rest of the Universe.
For now, however, we shall limit our analyses to our solar system, reserving
further comment on the Universe for another essay.

Some Patterns: Mercury/Sun as the Astronomical Unit
(AU)

The corresponding numbers for the proportional representation,
utilizing the planet Earth as the unit one for measurement for the astronomical
unit (AU), are given below:

Mercury

.39

[.3870320856]

Venus

.72

[.7232620321]

Earth

1.0

[1.0]

Mars

1.52

[1.523395722]

[Planetoids; asteroids]

Jupiter

5.2

[5.202540107]

Saturn

9.54

[9.552139037]

[Recognized Break]

Uranus

19.18

[19.21791444]

Neptune

30.06

[30.10695187]

Pluto

39.52

[39.43850267]

We have employed the numbers rounded off that are generally cited
in textbooks and almanacs. From the previous table, generally a break
is shown to exist between Saturn and Uranus. One set of precise numbers
is given in the brackets, but these would vary as the interpretations
of the mean distances vary themselves. Ultimately, one would choose numbers
and then make the necessary adjustments depending upon the set of numbers
chosen.

Now, if we employ the distance Mercury/Sun as the
unit of measurement for the astronomical unit (AU), then, the following
numbers arise:

AU Ratios Expressed in Miles:

Mercury

1.0

Venus

1.86859426

Earth

2.583325718

Mars

3.936156024

[Planetoids; asteroids]

Jupiter

13.44000495

Saturn

24.68341859

Uranus

49.64745547

Neptune

77.78485764

Pluto

102.1566695

AU Ratios Expressed in Kilometers

Mercury

1.0

Venus

1.868739206

Earth

2.583765112

Mars

3.936096718

[Planetoids; asteroids]

Jupiter

13.44214161

Saturn

24.68048359

Uranus

49.65457685

Neptune

77.78929188

Pluto

101.8998273

(The slight discrepancy concerns the rounded off numbers
from distinct sources for miles and kilometers for the distances of the
planets from the Sun. However, it is the range that we are concerned with
at this point of the discussion, and we should remember that we are dealing
with "average mean distances", which vary in the methods used for the
computations.)

These numbers would produce distinct relationships, but
all within the mean distances. For example, the numbers would produce
a range relating to Venus' orbital timing. The range of numbers is much
more acceptable from the perspective of a unit-scale, given the fact that
the numbers now range from 1.0 to 102.1, almost creating a perfect 100-unit
scale. And, in fact, adjustments could be made in order to create such
an astronomical scale for our solar system.

The scale reveals different patterns, but one such
example concerns the two inner progressions that are visible, and which
concern the inner and the outer planets as commonly known.

AU Ratios Expressed in Miles:

Mercury

1.0

Venus

1.86859426

Earth

2.583325718

[numerical progression]

Mars

3.936156024

Belt of Asteroids

Jupiter

13.44000495

Saturn

24.68341859

Uranus

49.64745547

[numerical progression]

Neptune

77.78485764

Pluto

102.1566695

One may immediately recognize the advantage of employing
the Mercury/Sun distance as the basic unit of measurement within the solar
system. The numeric progressions recognize the break between Mars and
Jupiter, where most of the "minor planets" or "planetoids" are found;
what are more properly known as the "asteroids". By using the Mercury/Sun
distance as the astronomical unit, then, the belt of asteroids within
our solar system finds its rightful place within the discerned pattern.
This does not occur within the pattern created by the use of the distance
Earth/Sun for the astronomical unit, as we viewed earlier.

By maintaining the planet Mercury as the unit measurement
of our analytical system, other aspects may be considered in this regard.
Consider, for example, the tilt of the planets in our solar system with
regard to the plane of the ecliptic of Earth.

SUN

7 o

/

7

=

1.0

Mercury

7 o

/

7

=

1.0

Venus

3.4 o

/

7

=

.485714285

Earth

0 o

/

7

=

.142857142

Mars

1.9 o

/

7

=

.271428571

Jupiter

1.3 o

/

7

=

.185714285

Saturn

2.5 o

/

7

=

.357142857

Uranus

.8 o

/

7

=

.114284714

Neptune

1.8 o

/

7

=

.257142857

Pluto

17.2 o

/

7

=

2.4571428

The resulting pattern, regarding the tilt in degrees
of angle to the plane of the ecliptic of Earth, is as follows:

SUN

1.0

Differences

0

Mercury

1.0

.514285715

Venus

.485714285

.342857143

Earth

.142857142

.128571429

Mars

.271428571

.085714286

Jupiter

.185714285

.171428572

Saturn

.357142857

.242857143

Uranus

.114284714

.142857143

Neptune

.257142857

2.199999993

Pluto

2.4571428

Once more, the pattern reflects the break between Mars
and Jupiter and concerns the belt of asteroids.

Other patterns exist. Let us consider one other example
in this extract. The tilt of the axes of the planets follows:

Planet

Degrees Tilt of Axis

Mercury

0o

Venus

3o

Earth

23.45o

Mars

25o

Jupiter

3.1o

Saturn

26.7o

Uranus

82.1o

Neptune

28.8o

Pluto

68 o

Now, let us observe the differences between the corresponding
degrees of tilt. In this case, our task is made easy, because Mercury
already acts as a basic unit of measurement, given the fact that it registers
zero degrees of tilt.

Planet

Degrees Tilt of Axis

Differences

Mercury

0o

3

Venus

3o

20.45

Earth

23.45o

1.55

Mars

25o

21.9

Jupiter

3.1o

23.6

Saturn

26.7o

55.4

Uranus

82.1o

53.3

Neptune

28.8o

39.2

Pluto

68o

Further consider the secondary pattern of symmetry below:

Mars

25o

Jupiter

3.1o

Saturn

26.7o

And, yet another:

Saturn

26.7o

Uranus

82.1o

Neptune

28.8o

Many interesting relationships appear when one considers
the distance Mercury/Sun as the astronomical unit of measurement. Other
appear when Mercury is simply taken as the basic unit of measurement for
other aspects, such as degrees of tilt in the axes of the planets and
with respect to the plane of the ecliptic of Earth. There are far too
many relationships to be examined in this brief essay.

One particular relationship that caught our attention
is the following:

101.8998273 / 3.936096718 = 25.88854761 [precession
today, 25800]

101.89 / 3.93 = 25.92620865 [historical precession
number 25920c]

In the previous example between the numbers of Mars (3.93)
and Pluto (101.89), we see a relationship with the fractal expression
of the numbers relating to the precession, or the Great Cycle. Given the
fact that Mars and Pluto represent the last planet of each of the internal
progression patterns within the solar system, this somehow causes one
to wonder about the significance of these relationships and their numbers.

Or, consider the relationship between Mars and Jupiter,
which reflects the significant break in numebrs.

Expressed in miles:

13.44000495 / 3.936156024

=

3.414500052

6.829000105

13.65800021

Expressed in Kilometers:

13.44214162 / 3.936096718

=

3.415094339

6.830188678

13.66037736

Without considering the distinction between these numbers,
coming from different sources, the significant point is to recognize a
similarity with the maya long-count companion number, 1366560.

Observations

In this extract, we have made the specific proposal
to employ the distance Mercury/Sun, 36,000,000 miles, to represent the
astronomical unit (AU) for measurement within astronomy. By employing
the distance Mercury/Sun as the astronomical unit (AU), 36,000,000 miles,
various advantages obtain.

The commonly cited division between the inner and
outer planets is then maintained, and patterns obtain that are relational
to this apparent division in the solar system. The natural break between
Mars and Jupiter, between which lies the Belt of Asteroids, takes on its
significant meaning within the symmetry of patterns that obtain from using
the astronomical unit based on the distance Mercury/Sun. The false break
that obtains from using the Earth/Sun distance as the astronomical unit
thereby disappears.

By using the astronomical unit (AU) based on the
36,000,000 mile average mean distance between Mercury and the Sun,
one is able to accommodate computations in relation to the ancient reckoning
system which was based on a 360c day-count. Furthermore, by utilizing
the 36c as the AU, one is then able to perform other computations more
easily since the 36c is a nine-based (9c) number system.
The 36c is far superior the 93c currently in use in computational
math, which is based on the 93,000,000 mile figure for the Earth/Sun distance.

...CharlesWilliamJohnsonpostulates the
existence of such a pattern in “The Distance of the Planets
from the Sun and their Atmospheric Com- position.” The conjecture hinges upon the inclusion
of Ceres as a dwarf planet. ...earthmatrix. ...html. [8] R. Johnson, Miller & Freund's ...